Ignition mechanism for internal-combustion engines.



H'. F. GEIST.

IGNITION MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

' APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 20. I915.

1,231,149. Patented June 26, 1917.

I I a $136 momm I UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY F. GEIST, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN,

; E RACINE, Wisconsin, at CORPORATION 0E WEST VIRGINIA;

IGNITion MECHANISM ron iNTERNAL-COMBUSTIONENGINES.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY F. GEIs'r, a

"citizen of the United States,.residing at Racine, in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, have lnvente-d a certain new and useful Improvement in Ignition Mechanism for InternaLCon bustion Engines, of which the following is, a full, clear concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specificatlon. p

My invention'relates to ignition mechanism for internal combustion en ines, and

particularly to that typeof igniti n mecha nism which comprises a magneto arranged to be driven by" an associated engine, the

magneto being so related to make and break contact mechanism located within the com- :bustion chamber of the engine as to effect theoperation of the electrodes and thus accomplish the passing of an electric spark at the proper instant in. the cycle of engine operation.

The object-of my present invention isto provide an ignition mechanism of this class that is capable of being economically manufactured, one wherein the operation of the make and break devices, as well as the magneto rotor, are positively and properly effected. Simplicity of construction is an essential feature of my present inlvention. My invention will be more fully under stood by referring to the following detailed description wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of the ignition mechanism of my invention, this view being taken on a plane passingthrough the axis of the magneto rotor;

Fig. 2 is a view -of the mechanism in end elevation; and

Fig. 3 is an isolatedelevationa-l view .of

theelectrodes which are disposed within the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine with which the mechanism of my invention is associated.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring first to Fig; 1, I have illustrated at 4 a bracket arranged-to be-secured to the wall of an associated internal-combus- Y tion engine by bolts, or other instrumentalities', passing through the apertures 5 5. The

.wall of the combustion chamber-of the en- Specification of Letters Patent.

gine has been diagrammatically illustrated j Patented J une 26, 191 '7. Application filed September 20, 1915. Serial No. 51,631.

AssIeivon TO WEBSTER EnEcgrmc comrfiw,

which, in the present embodiment of my ins v 'ventiomponstitutes, one of thefside wallsat, the magneto generator,the other wall of the inagneto'generator being formed. by a.

somewhat similar wall 8 formed integral with the bracket 4 and having an aperture.

therethrough arranged to be closed by a.

plate 9 secured. in position by suitable instrumentalities 1010-.. T 3 1 The magneto is conveniently of .the unwound rotor ty wherein an inductor is mounted for oscillation with'respect to stationary generating windings to vary the magnetic flux through said windings and thereby induce an electric current 'in the .windings. The construction and operation.

of a magneto of this type are clearly. shown and described in Patent no: 118 048 9dated April 25,1916, and, therefore, for the purpose of the present i invention it will sufflee to say that the'magnetofield. magnets lll1 are mounted upon the shelf forming a part of the bracket 4. and that the magnets 11l1 have associated-therewith pole pieces upon whi'ckare mounted suitable generating windings. The '.rot or,'-which in the present disclosure is an unwound metal inductor, is illustrated at 12," the aforesaid rotorbeing keyed upon'a' hollow vshaft,*0r sleeve, 13 which is journaled in the bracket 4 and the closure plate 9 ,'a s clearly illustrated in Fig. l, the left hand end of the said hollow shaft or'sleeve 13- passing through a suitable aperture in the wall of the combustion chamber ofthe engine (Fig. 1) and being there provided with an arm 14: upon which is mounted-one of the electrodes indicated at'l i The hollow shaft or sleeve 13 is formed ofconducting material and is con nected in circuit with the magneto generate ing windings either directly orthrough the magneto frame work, the electrode 14 constituting What is grounded electrode.

Keyed upon the right hand end of the genemlly known as a.

hollow sleeve or" shaft '13, is a collar 15 which has formed integral therewith a pairof diametrically opposite-arms 16 connected by springs 1717 with brackets .18--18:; fixed with respect to the magneto frame work. -It ,willthus'be;seen that thesprings 17+-17 normally serve to retain the magneto rotor 12'and electrode 142 in the-positions illustrated in Fig. 1. Also formed integral with the collar 15 is a push finger 19 arranged to be engaged by an engine driven actuator, as for instance, a reciprocating rod, to move the shaft 13 and parts carried thereby against the tension of the springs'17--17 and then release the shaft whereupon the Disposed within the hollow shaft, or

sleeve, 13 is a unit comprising a sleeve 20 of metal having the cross section thereof reduced intermediate its ends, as clearly illustrated .111 Fig. 1, a sleeve of insulating material 21, and a metal conducting shaft 22.

Mounted upon the left hand end of the stem, or shaft, 22 (Fig. 1) is an arm 23' which carries an electrode 23 cooperating with the electrode-1 1 and normally held in the position shown in Fig. 3 by mechanism to be presently described. The right hand end of the shaft, orv stem, 22 is connected in circuit with the magneto generating windings by means of a conductor 24, it being under stood -that the electrode 23* constituteswhat is commonly known as an insulated electrode, The sleeve 20, and parts disposed therewithin, extend beyond the hollow shaft,

or sleeve, 13 at the right hand end of the latter (Fig. 1) and keyed upon the right hand end of the sleeve 20 is a collar 25 having formed integral therewith an arm 26 the free end of which carries an adjustable screw 27. The screw 27 is normally held in engagement with a lug 28 formed upon the shelf constituting a part of the bracket 1, the screw being thus held in engagement with the lug 28 by means of a spring 29 acting between the arm 26 and the lug 28.

It will thus be seen that the electrodes 11 and 23 are normally held in the positions illustrated in Fig. 3 by the springs 17 and 29 respectively. p

In the operation of the mechanism just described the engine driven actuating device operates to move the trip finger 19 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2) against the tension of the springs 1717. hen the trip finger 19 is thus'moved against the tension of the springs 17-47 the rotor 12 and the electrode 14 are also operated. The electrode 11*, after moving through a very small part of its arc of oscillation, engages the electrode 28 and closes the circuit including the magneto generating windings. As the several parts connected with the trip .finger 19 continue to move against the tension of the springs 17-17 the electrode 23 and parts connected therewith are carried with the electrodell, this movement being opposed by the spring 29. When the trip finger 19 is released the springs 17-17 serve to quickly move the arms 16-16 and parts connected therewith back toward normal position. The spring 29, however, maintains the electrode 23 in engagement with the electrode 14 until the screw 27 abuts against the lug 28 at which time the electrodes are separated. I wish to have it understood that the adjustment of theseveral parts is such that the separation of the electrodes 1'4 and 23. is accomplished at the instant that the peak ;of the current wave induced in the magneto generating windings is attained.

From the foregoing description it will be. seen that I accomplish proper operation of the current generating and electrode operating mechanism by a simple combination comprising very few parts. The .mechanism may readily be adjusted to effect the passing-of a spark at the exact instant necessary to most efficient engine operation and the operating parts of the magneto are accessible should it at any time be necessary to remove and repair or replace the same. It will, moreover, be understood that all of the operating parts in the magneto may be removed and the igniter operated with battery current if desired since the magneto rotor is merely keyed upon the shaft 13 and since all of the mechanism for controlling the igniter is mounted upon the bracket.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a framework secured to the engine cylinder, a shaft supported by the framework, a pair of electrodes within the cylinder, one of which is mounted on said shaft, a magneto having the stator thereof mountcd on said framework, the magneto rotor being fixed on said shaft, means on the shaft arranged to be engaged by an engine driven device to oscillate the shaft and rotor, together with springs positively connected with said shaft arranged to effect the operation of the electrodes and generate a current in the magneto windings when said shaft is oscillated by the engine driven device and released.

2. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a bracket secured to the engine cylinder, a shaft supported by the bracket, an electrode within the cylinder sethe shaft arranged to quickly return the first electrode to normaland generate a curj rent inthe magneto when the'shaft is oscil? be oscillated by an and released, together with springs connected to said shaft arranged to effect the operalated by the engine driven-device aI1d relatedby the engine driven actuator and leased. v

.3. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a pair of electrodes disposed within the' cbmbustion chamber of the en gine, a shaft upon which one of said elec-v trodes is mounted extending through they wall of the combustion chamber, a magneto having the rotor thereof rigidly fixed to said shaft, means whereby the shaft may engine driven actuator tion of the electrodes and move the-rotor to generate a current in the magneto winding when the' shaft is oscillated by the engine driven actuator and released.

4. In combination with an internal combustion engine, apair of electrodes disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine, a; shaft upon which one of said electrodes is mounted extending through the wall of the combustion chamber, a ;mag-,

neto having the rotor thereof connected to and movable with said shaft, means whereby .the shaft may be oscillated by an engine driven actuator and released, together with springs connected with said shaft arranged "to effect the operation of the electrodes and actuate, the rotor to 'induce a current in the magneto winding-when the shaft is oscillated by the engine driven actuator and -released. a 5. In combination wlth an internal combustion engine, a pair of electrodes disposed within the combustion chamber of the en gine, a shaft upon which one of said electrodesis mounted extending through the -wall of the combustion chamber, a magneto having the rotor thereof connected to and movable-with said-shaft, means whereby the rotor may be oscillated by an engine driven actuator and released, together with springs disposed outside of the combustion chamber and, connected with said shaft arranged toeifect the operation of the electrodes and move the rotor to generate a current in the magneto winding when the shaft isoscillated by the engine driven actuator and released.

6. 'In combination with an internal combustion engine, a pair of electrodes disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine and located in proximity to each other, spring means normally holding one of said electrodes in a certain position, a shaft con ber, amagneto' having the rotor thereof connected to and movable with said shaft, means onvsaid shaft whereby the latter may be oscillated and released by an' engine driven actuator, together with spring means con- :nected with said shaft arranged to operate the electrodes and generate a current in the magneto Winding when the shaft is oscilrelease I 7. "A mechanism of the class described comprisingin combinatlon, an electrode disposed within the combustion chamber of an engine and mounted upon an oscillatory: shaft extending through the wall of the oscillated by the engine driven actuator and released, a-second electrode in the combuss tion chamber disposed in'the path of the first,-and means connected with said second electrode arranged to yield to permit said second electrode to move with the first when .the shaft is operated by the engine driven the wall of the combustion engine, neto having'the rotor thereof connected to actuator and'arranged toreturn said second electrode to normal position when-the shaft is-released from ,the actuator.

., 8. A- mechanism of the class described,

comprising in combination an electrode dis-j posed withinthe combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, a shaft connected with said electrode extending through a mag and movable with said shaft, means whereby said shaft maybe oscillated byan engine.

driven actuator and released, sprlng means connected with said shaft arranged to return the aforesaid electrode and rotor'to. normal positions when the shaft is released from the actuator, a second electrode located within the combustionchamber in the path of the first electrode but normally out of engagement therewith, together with resilient means connected with said second electrode arranged to yield when said shaft is operated by the actuator and thus brings the first electrode into-engagement with the second," said resilient means serving, hownected with. the other electrode extending through the wall of the combustioncham-ftrode extending through the wall of the ever, to return the second electrode to nor. mal position when the shaft is released from the actuator. v

9. A mechanism of the class described comprising in combination with an internal combustion engine, a movable electrode disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine, a shaft connected with said eleccomprising in combustion chamber, an arm connected with said shaft at its outer end, a stationary abutment, spring means normally holding the arm in engagement with said abutment, a second electrode disposed in proximity to thefirst but normally out'o'f engagement therewith, a sleeve disposed around said first shaft carrying said second electrode, a magneto having the rotor thereof connected to and movable with saidsleeve, means whereby the sleeve may be oscillated by an engine driven actuator and released to effect the engagement of the electrodes and move the first electrode against the tension of its associated spring,- and relatively strong springs connected with said sleeve arranged to return the second electrode and the magneto rotor to normal position when the sleeve has been oscillated by the engine driven actuator and released.

, 10. -An. apparatus of the class described combination with a pair'of electrodes disposed within the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, a bracket arranged to be secured to the outside of the combustion chamber, a shaftcn which one of said electrodes is mounted extending through the wall of the combustion chamber, said b 'acket having formed thereon a pair of parallel walls between which is carried the field magnet of a magneto,

said shaft extending through said parallel Walls, and a rotor mounted on said shaft and movable in proximity to said field magnet, together w'lli means for cyclically operating the rotor and electrodes in timed relation to each other.

11. Apparatus of the class described comprising a pair of movable electrodes disposed within the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, a shaft on which one of said electrodes is mounted, spring means normally retaining said shaft in a certain position and adapted to quickly return the same toward normal when it is operated and released, a second shaft supporting the other electrode in the path of the first, together with spring means and an abutment cooperating with the second shaft. Y

12. Apparatus of the class described comprising an electrode disposed in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, a shaft on which said electrode is mounted, spring means normally retaining the shaft in a certain position, means whereby the shaft may be oscillatedagainst the action of said spring means and released, a second electrode disposed in the path of the first, a shaft on which said second electrode is mounted, a stationary abutment, and spring means cooperating with said abutment to normally retain the second electrode in a certain position out. of engagement with the first.

13. Apparatus of the class described comprising an electrode disposed in the combustion chamber of. an internal combustion engi no, a shaft on which said electrode is mounted, spring means normally retaining the shaft in a certain position, means whereby the shaft may be oscillated against the action of said spring means and released, a second electrode disposed in the path of the first, a shaft on which said second electrode is mounted, a stationary abutment, and spring means cooperating with said abutment to normally retain the second electrode in 'a certain position in the path of the first. a

14. An apparatus of the class described comprisingin combination an electrode disposed within the combustion chamber of an nternal combustion engine, an oscillatory shaft on which said electrode is mounted, a stationary abutment, a spring coiiperating with the abutment to normally retain the shaft and electrode in a certain position, a sleeve disposed around said shaft, a second electrode mounted on said sleeve and mom,

able in the same plane with the first electrode, spring means coeperating with said sleeve to normally retain the same in a certain position, and means whereby. said slecve may be oscillated against the action 'of its associated spring means and released, said first electrode being engaged and moved by the second when the sleeve is oscillated against the action of its associated spring means.

15. The combination with a pair of electrodes disposed within the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, spring means normally holding a first one of said electrodes in a certain position, spring means and an abutment coeperating to normally retain the other electrode out of engagement with the first, together with means for moving the first electrode into engagement with the second, moving both electrodes against the action of their associated spring means and releasing the electrodes sem'atim.

16. The combination with a pair of norgaged electrodes mounted for movement in the same plane and around the same axis, spring means associated with each electrode, a magneto comprising a rotor connected with one of said electrodes, and deuces for moving the last mentioned electrode and rotor to effect the engagement of the electrodes, move both electrodes;

disengaged electrodes mounted for ainst the action of their associated 'sp 'ng.-means,i and release theelectrodes sem'cttz'm.

18 The combination with an internal combust'ion engine of a pair of normally disengaged spark electrodes'mounted for moveinent in the same. plane. around the same axis, a magneto comprising a rotor connected' to and -movable with one of said electrodes,- relatively strong spring means associated with the last mentionedelectrode normally holding it and the rotor in a cer- 'tain position, an abutment, a spring associated, with the other electrode tending to moveit past the abutment into engagement with its cooperating electrode, together with means for moving the rotor and its associated electrode against the action of their common spring means and then release them whereby the electrodes are engaged, moved against the action of their associated spring means while in engagement, and then moved together toward normal until the abutment Gopies of this patent may be obtained for prevents further movement of one of the electrodes. X 1

' l9fIn c0mbinati0n with a pair of electrode carrying elements extending through the wall of the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, an electrode carried by each element, a stop for one of said elements, spring means normally retaining HARRY F. GEIST. Witnesses:

i. G. MCCALEB, V. G. VANCE.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

